Morton

/ˈmɔːtən/

noun

1.

4th Earl of, title of James Douglas. 1516–81, regent of Scotland (1572–78) for the young James VI. He was implicated in the murders of Rizzio (1566) and Darnley (1567) and played a leading role in ousting Mary, Queen of Scots; executed

2.

Jelly Roll, real name Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe Morton. 1885–1941, US jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter; one of the creators of New Orleans jazz

surname, from the many Mortons on the map of England, literally "moor or marsh settlement." Morton's Fork (1759) is in reference to John Morton (c.1420-1500), archbishop of Canterbury, who levied forced loans under Henry VII by arguing the obviously rich could afford to pay and the obviously poor clearly were living frugally and thus had savings and could pay, too.